Fairgrounds returns motocross track back to city’s control

After nearly 10 years, the Desert Empire Fair is opting not to renew its release for the city-owned property used to host motocross events.

By Jack Barnwelljbarnwell@ridgecrestca.com

After nearly 10 years, the Desert Empire Fair is opting not to renew its release for the city-owned property used to host motocross events.Ridgecrest’s Parks and Recreation Director Jim Ponek confirmed Monday evening that DEF would not renew its lease at the beginning of 2013. “The fairgrounds have agreed not to renew their release,” Ponek said. “Ridgecrest will be taking back control of the property.”The agreement was confirmed by DEF CEO Mike Leming Tuesday morning.Leming, who took over as CEO last year, said the decision boiled down to a few things.“I don’t have the staff to continually maintain and repair the area,” he said.Leming said that over the years, the course has been subject to a number of break-ins and vandalizations and constant maintenance would overextend the fairground staff.The area, located behind the fairgrounds, is known mostly for its hosting of the annual Viewfinders motocross annual event.Leming said that while DEF would not be keeping the lease, it still has a year contract with the Viewfinders Motorcycle Club.“Jim (Ponek) and I spoke and he’s open to working with Viewfinders,” Leming said.Ponek said that it would be one thing the city would be considering.“The City of Ridgecrest is in current discussion of how the city will proceed with the future use of the land,” Ponek said.The area has a long history of recreational uses, dating back to when it was a miniature golf course and driving range, hosting a remote control race track and eventually transformation into a motocross and dirt bike course.Only, for Leming and the DEF, it’s a matter of finances at a time when California has discontinued financial support of its fairs.Leming said that the lease, or memo of understanding, was first signed in April 2003. But due to increasing lean budgets, the fairgrounds had some decisions to make.“The motorcycle course has been a losing proposition for the fairgrounds,” Leming said.While basic utilities like electricity and water average $125 a month or $1500 a year, DEF needed to begin ruling out costs somewhere.“The whole thing is, as CEO, I’m having to put everything under a microscope,” Leming said.The fairgrounds no longer receives a check from the state for what Leming amounted to $190,000 a year for the fairgrounds.In 2011, the state decided to cut $32 million in funding as a means of saving money and make up for a shortfall in its general fund.The Desert Empire Fair is in good shape so far, making a decent profit for the first time in 10 years, Leming said, but priorities need to be set.“We have to be good stewards of what we have,” Leming said.This includes looking at events and things that ultimately cost more than they bring in.The area itself, Leming said, was not an ideal place for a motocross track.“It’s not in the right location for a track,” he said. “It shouldn’t be intrusive.”He pointed to Adelanto’s racetrack as a good example, saying it was easy to find and right off of Highway 395.“It can be good for the community but it needs to be marketed properly,” Leming said. “People need to be educated.”He said it would take an investor with serious equipment, budget and manpower to properly maintain a racetrack.“If we had the money and the staff, we would hang on to it,” Leming said.However, Leming hasn’t ruled out working with the city in the future.“We’ve said if you guys (the city) does something entertainment-wise with the land, we’ll support it,” he said.